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Concordant Hypertension: Researchers Say Many Couples Share High Blood Pressure The research team, which examined middle-aged and older heterosexual couples across China, England, India and the U.S., observed concordance of hypertension, a situation when both partners have high blood pressure. If your partner has hypertension, you are likely to have it too, says researchers of a new study.



Early Menstruation Linked To Heightened Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes Later In Life: Study Getting periods before the age of 13 is linked to a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, a new study has found. The study, published in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, also suggests that girls who start menstruation before the age of 10 or younger are at an increased risk of having a stroke before the age of 65.



Sleep-disordered breathing and cardiovascular disease: who and why to test and how to intervene? Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is common in individuals with established cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly those with heart failure (HF). There are two main types of SDB, central sleep apnoea (CSA) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) which frequently overlap as mixed SDB.



Right-sided mechanical valve prostheses in adults with congenital heart disease Congenital heart disease (CHD) commonly includes right-sided valvular heart disease. Patients with CHD may require multiple sternotomies and interventions in their lifetime. The longevity of their replaced valve will be one of the most important factors determining freedom from re-intervention and overall prognosis. The European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the management of adults with CHD have recommendations as to the indications and timing of pulmonary and tricuspid valve intervention.



Atrial Fibrillation Linked to Dementia, Especially When Diagnosed Before Age 65 Years Adults with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at increased risk for dementia, especially when AF occurs before age 65 years, new research shows. Investigators note the findings highlight the importance of monitoring cognitive function in adults with AF.



AF Tied to 45% Increase in Mild Cognitive Impairment Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a 45% increased risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an outcome that's linked to cardiovascular risk factors and multi-comorbidity, results of a new study suggest.



COVID Coronary Plaque Infection Confirms CV Risk New evidence shows for the first time that the virus that causes COVID directly infects atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary arteries, producing a persistent inflammatory response. The findings may not only explain the link between COVID and the increased risk of cardiovascular events but mark a starting point for new therapeutic approaches.



CKD Linked to Cardiac Arrest in Hispanic, Latinx Patients Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the strongest predictor of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in a population of Hispanic and Latinx patients, new data show, suggesting early identification of CKD may provide an opportunity to reduce the risk in these groups. Other predictors included heavy drinking, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, heart failure and diabetes.



Ambient air pollution and maternal cardiovascular health in pregnancy Women represent a potentially susceptible group due to the delicate balance of the feto-placental circulation, rapid fetal development and tremendous physiological adaptations to the maternal cardiorespiratory system during pregnancy.



New TAVR System Promising in Pure Aortic Regurgitation Implantation of a specially designed transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system is feasible and safe in patients with pure aortic regurgitation (AR), with no deaths and only one person needing a permanent pacemaker, a pilot first-in-human study shows.


Near-Death Experiences During CPR: An Impetus for Better Care
Near-Death Experiences During CPR: An Impetus for Better Care If someone has been in cardiac arrest for 10 minutes, the brain is permanently damaged and there's nothing to do, right? Not so according to emerging evidence that suggests that the brain shows signs of electrical recovery for as long as an hour into ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This time between cardiac arrest and awakening can be a period of vivid experiences for the dying patient before they return to life — a phenomenon known as "recalled death."


Novel Biomarkers for Aortic Stenosis Identified
Novel Biomarkers for Aortic Stenosis Identified A new analysis that used plasma proteomics, cardiac imaging, and event surveillance of participants in a longitudinal cohort study identified 52 circulating proteins with significant links to aortic valve (AV) hemodynamics and the risk for AV-related hospitalizations. Two of these biomarkers had particularly robust associations.


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Classification Identifies Four Stages of Heart Attack
Classification Identifies Four Stages of Heart Attack The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) has developed a four-stage classification of acute atherothrombotic myocardial infarction (MI) based on the severity of the injury to the myocardium.


AHA Joins New Cardiovascular Certification Group ABCVM
AHA Joins New Cardiovascular Certification Group ABCVM The American Heart Association (AHA) has now formally voted to join several other cardiovascular societies to form a new professional certification board for cardiovascular medicine, to be known as the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCVM).


Coronary artery calcium: from risk prediction to treatment allocation and clinical trials
Coronary artery calcium: from risk prediction to treatment allocation and clinical trials Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a direct measure of an individual’s coronary atherosclerotic burden.


FDA Okays First Extravascular ICD System
FDA Okays First Extravascular ICD System The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Medtronic's novel "extravascular" implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (Aurora EV-ICD) system, which uses a single lead implanted substernally to allow anti-tachycardia pacing and low-energy defibrillation while avoiding the vascular space for lead placement.


New Tool to Guide Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
New Tool to Guide Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Researchers developed TJ-ICE–guided TAVR to facilitate implanting a heart valve at an optimal depth, guided by direct visualization of the membranous septum (MS) during the procedure.


Redefining CVD Risk: Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome
Redefining CVD Risk: Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome Citing the strong overlap between heart disease, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, the American Heart Association (AHA) has for the first time formally defined what they are calling cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome.


ACP Revises Standard on Cardiorespiratory Death Determination
ACP Revises Standard on Cardiorespiratory Death Determination The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued a new position paper on determination of death that includes a clarification to the 1981 Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA), but otherwise reaffirms the current standards.


AHA Updates CPR Guidelines on Cardiac Arrest After Poisoning
AHA Updates CPR Guidelines on Cardiac Arrest After Poisoning The American Heart Association (AHA) has released a focused update on managing patients with cardiac arrest or life-threatening toxicity due to poisoning. The update reflects treatment advances and new knowledge, including the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) for patients whose condition is refractory to poison antidotes and other therapies.